Today, Sunday, Israeli government ministers called for taking “harsh measures against Lebanon and Hezbollah,” in a remarkable escalation of official rhetoric, amid the failure of the US-Iranian talks in Islamabad, and anticipation of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel in Washington next Tuesday. Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said, “There is no point in negotiations with Lebanon,” adding, “They must pay the price for the infrastructure, and the state must bear responsibility for bombing energy facilities and oil refineries, not leaving them bridges. Enough hiding behind Hezbollah!” As for Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, he said: “Hezbollah will not learn unless we control more territory. We must expand as much as possible and control the area.” For his part, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir said: “The state of Lebanon must pay the price for Hezbollah’s actions. We must destroy Lebanon’s infrastructure and cut off its electricity. Hezbollah must not be allowed to hide behind them. We must cast our shadow over Lebanon. Their people will pressure them, and we will eliminate “the party.” Foreign Minister Gideon Saar disagreed with these views, saying: “We must focus on Hezbollah, not Lebanon, as negotiating with Lebanon is the right choice at this time.” We have challenged them to deal with the party.”